IOL CEO Viasen Soobramoney addressed the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in Fuzhou, China, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive global representation of Africa. He stated that Africa's story should be told through its innovation, achievements, ambitions, and contributions to humanity, rather than solely through stories of conflict and hardship. Soobramoney highlighted the media's role in shaping public understanding and promoting informed debate.
The forum, hosted by the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, People's Daily, and the Fujian provincial government, drew over 200 delegates from 182 media outlets and institutions in 100 countries. Soobramoney stressed that media cooperation along the Belt and Road could help build bridges by facilitating journalist exchanges, joint reporting projects, training, and content-sharing partnerships. He encouraged telling stories about the people behind international partnerships.
Soobramoney's sentiments were echoed at the fourth council meeting of the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN), which comprises 42 mainstream media organisations from 27 countries. The council reached a consensus on advancing high-quality development across all BRNN endeavours, including expanding inclusive wellbeing by supporting media in responding to countries' development aspirations. President of People's Daily and BRNN chair Yu Shaoliang emphasized the importance of open dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Editor and CEO of the Financial Express in Bangladesh, Shamsul Huq Zahid, highlighted the importance of identifying common ground and telling stories about people. He emphasized the need for greater digital integration and fostering institutional collaboration. Various media leaders spoke about deepening exchanges between the media and connecting people. Soobramoney noted that despite differences in history, culture, and circumstances, nations share similar aspirations for peace, development, and prosperity.
Soobramoney emphasized the importance of creating partnerships that are enduring, practical, and mutually beneficial. He commended People's Daily for its commitment to media cooperation and creating opportunities for international media engagement. He stressed that cooperation should uphold accuracy, professionalism, responsible reporting, and respect for the dignity of the people whose stories are told.
Soobramoney also highlighted the significance of cooperation among countries of the Global South, particularly in addressing global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and persistent inequalities. He noted that millions of people are looking for solutions to access education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and economic opportunity. The Global South represents the aspirations of nations determined to shape their own destinies and participate meaningfully in the global economy.
The 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road, under the theme "Pursuing common understandings and shared aspirations along the Belt and Road," brought together media leaders to discuss the role of media in promoting cooperation and understanding. The forum recognized the importance of media in shaping public discourse and promoting peaceful and hopeful global development.
Key points
- IOL CEO Viasen Soobramoney calls for a more comprehensive global representation of Africa at the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in China.
- Media cooperation along the Belt and Road can help build bridges and promote understanding through journalist exchanges, joint reporting projects, and content-sharing partnerships.
- The Global South represents the aspirations of nations determined to shape their own destinies and participate meaningfully in the global economy.
